Photographer's Note

“Trash talk” is a form of boast or insult commonly heard in competitive situations such as sports events. It’s often employed to intimidate the opposition, but can also be used in a humorous spirit. For anyone that’s ever been involved in a little gamesmanship, you know all about it…and it’s always a challenge to come up with the best quip to get your opponent off their game. One of my all time favorites is “Oh, I’m just looking around to see who’s going to finish second.” :)

Now, it’s clear that the couple seen here is not involved in sport, unless you consider a friendly conversation to be overly antagonistic…but the bags of trash in the foreground certainly lend a literal interpretation to the scene being acted out. lol

This was a pretty much a “quick grab” shot, as I was trying to act as normal as possible and not draw their attention towards my lens…which wasn’t all that easy because I was also doing my best to include as much of the background that I could squeeze into this vertical frame. For those who have been to NYC, you might easily recognize the area due to those distant colors. If not, here’s a hint…it’s Little Italy. So, perhaps this couple were actually talking about the neighborhoods best place for an authentic pizza or pasta dish??

Hi Jason. Top image showing us the vibrant multicultural aspects of America. Here in Melbourne many Little Italies and Little Lebanons etc have in time become Little Vietnams and Little Chinas as the earlier migrants move on or six feet under and more recent arrivals move in. I would feel at home in a place like this. Excellent record of life. Best wishes. Klaudio. Enjoyed the note per usual.

The title is really funny, Jason, but truthfully I remember seeing NYC in the 70th, and there was trash out on the streets, double and triple meaning to this.
With no specific issue, to sport I mean - a vivid typical street view for NYC, and nicely combined the humen issue.
Best regards,
Ike

Hi Jason,
nice the reportage shot from the busy street of NYC with the men sitting on the stairs and near the black trash bags to chat carefree.I like this quick snapshot from the daily life of the city.

Hello Jason,
I always find streets like this lovely and interesting when I see them in films. Here some daily life elements are not so pleasant but this is a real life picture so they have their place in the corner. I like very much the sense of depth in this vertical frame, the people in the foreground help us connect to the rest of the scenery. I think that the gentleman is saying "Don't look, someone's been photographing us for quite some time now!" So you've become part of the story too:) I like how the scenery comes together like a puzzle made up of many colourful pieces, the world lying in the background looks exciting. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

The moment I saw the photo I knew it was Little Italy for the hanging flags traversing the street
A good daily live capture of this place where along with Chinatown is possible to find the black trash sacs everywhere
May be the resting men are working in same shop or deciding where to have a great lunch of Italian food

Well taken vertical shot, lots of green and red and also blue, for the Albiceste?

Wish you a great day, so not very hot
Take, behave
Maria de las pampas

Hello Jason,
I love this kind of street-shots of very ordinary and unimportant events (two guys chatting on the staircase, how important is that?), which at a closer look show such a lot of things that you could make up any kind of story from the atmosphere created by the myriad of details. You are very good at observing these plain but amusing details of daily life, and in this picture you managed to squeeze in a lot. And of course the Italian colors are obvious.
Best regards,
Gert

What I like most in NYC were the houses with these stairs like here. I saw them so many times in films so so I was happy to stay in one such house in Couch Surfing. Very nice candid scene. The two guys look like Chinese and and I don't know why but I have impression one of them is in pajama. Pleasant blurred background but still with some details to look at.

Hi, Jason,
Is it a China town or no, I see this is Italy?
Simple but interesting journalist work, I like your idea to make this blurred background it looks like a movie scene. Thanks for so interesting note and fine title!
Have a great new week ahead!
Serghei